As we’re preparing for the holidays and the cold weather to set in, it’s a great time to start thinking about your outdoor space again. Though the summer barbecues, family parties, and relaxing sunsets are now all just a fond memory, your outdoor entertainment area doesn’t have to be left vacant during the winter months. And we have some great ideas to help you with this. You may even want to add one to your holiday wish list.
As you turn up the thermostat inside with the plummeting temps, warmth can also be brought outside to make your patio enjoyable and functional with the use of FIRE. It’s no secret that fire has been warming souls and bringing people together since the beginning of time. However, today’s applications and uses make this ancient element easy to add to any outdoor environment.
Fireplaces
By far, the stateliest way to incorporate a warm glow is a fireplace. They are typically the main focal point of a home’s family/living area and bring that similar aesthetic value to an outdoor patio space. These structures are available in kits for ease of installation or custom-designed to fit specific needs. Natural stone, clay brick, or manufactured block and veneer are all available options for constructing these features. Incorporating solid stone mantels and hearths (as of their interior counterparts) even adds to their beauty and functionality. Imagine pulling the patio chairs up close and enjoying a hot cup of coffee or your favorite cigar while enjoying your outdoor fireplace.
Firepit
The firepit is where it all began and has evolved from the metal bowls on legs (which usually rusted out after a few years) to the permanent works of art built directly into the patio itself. They can be constructed from all the same materials/kits as mentioned above with the fireplaces. Circles, squares, rectangles, and hexagons are amongst the geometric shapes these firepits can take. A few advantages of a firepit vs. fireplace are a 360-degree viewing and warming angle, not to mention taking up far less space. And the price tag is only about 20% of a fireplace! Though they may not possess the grandeur of a fireplace, there is nothing better than gathering around a firepit with your children and grandchildren, roasting marshmallows, and telling stories.
Infrared Heaters
Now more than ever, businesses (restaurants, bars, event venues) are using infrared heaters outdoors to increase their space due to COVID challenges. There are now so many options available on a residential scale for homeowners. Compact and engineered to fit into virtually any area, they provide warmth where it is needed most. This is key in today’s efforts to conserve energy and reduce your carbon footprint. Although some of these heaters are typically mounted above, the heat originates below the floor zone and then rises. Much the same way the infrared rays emitted by the sun work as they are reflected off of Earth’s surface. It only seems right to heat your patio area the same way the sun has been doing it for the past 4.6 billion years.
Whether you choose wood-burning, natural gas, or propane to fuel your inferno, careful planning is a must before implementing any of these, as many construction codes and permits apply to their location and use. A licensed contractor with experience in their design and installation is essential.
If you’re interested in adding heat to your outdoor entertaining space, give us a call today at (856) 753.1944, or check out the various fireplace and firepit designs we’ve created and installed for our customers here.